Beyond Pumpkin Ridge

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Portland, OR, US

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Route Overview

Unpaved

Picking up where the Goonies left off

62 mi.

4,930 ft.

This route makes the connection over Pumpkin Ridge to Skyline via the gated gravel Smoke Ranch Road.

~11 miles of gravel

Gearing: 39 x 28
Tire: 28c
Bike: Road or Cross

Send to Device Advanced Export View Standard Route (with cuesheet)

Route Details

This is the kind of ride that makes living in Portland special. Most large cities have been so touched by man that getting to raw places requires a car. Here, it's still possible to do rides that let you feel off the grid despite being only 30 miles from downtown.

I like to start this ride from [The Clearing Cafe](http://www.theclearingcafe.com/) in NW Portland. Follow the route out highway 30 to the left onto [Saltzman Road](http://www.strava.com/segments/254905) leading up through Forest Park. If you are new to town or a visitor, this is the best dirt climb within city limits. Forest Park, while lovely, isn't our destination today.

Follow the route out through the rolling Helvetia farmland. It will probably be office parks someday, so enjoy it now. Just before North Plains, head up toward the hills.

[Pumpkin Ridge](http://www.strava.com/segments/637928) is a long gradual climb averaging around 3% for 6 miles. (Until the pavement ends). It's hard to say when the county will dump fresh gravel on the upper portion, but as it is used daily by people who live up there it's fairly safe to say it will be packed down most of the year. After the gravel starts, continue onward until you get to a rather steep uphill pitch. Not long after that we'll be turning right through a @photo[yellow gate](643736). It is helpful to have the route in your gps as there are multiple gates to the right and you must choose the correct one.

Once past the gate, you can't really get lost. Simply follow the road down into a small canyon, pass @photo[McKay Creek,](646519) then up the other side. After you exit the gated section you'll be on Smoke Ranch road and headed towards Dixie Mountain.

Be sure to stop at the junction of Otto Miller (if it is a clear day) as you can see Mt. Rainier, Mt. St. Helens and Mt. Adams @photo[all from one spot](645427).

When you head down Dixie Mountain Road, watch for sharp rocks. If you are riding this route on smaller tires, it is quite easy to get a flat in this section as it's easy to pick up a lot of speed. When you hit the @photo[county sign](823019) at the junction of Rocky Point road, it'll be smooth pavement all the way back to Portland.

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Beyond Pumpkin Ridge

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